Emma Underwood's First Year Out of College

Author: Emma Underwood

That Crazy First Year

This past year, following my graduation from Washington State University, has been full of ups, downs, and everything in between.

But I can say humbly that I was one of the lucky ones when it came to post-grad. 

I Choose Me

Being in the news industry, I was told my first job would take me far away from loved ones, but I was lucky enough to receive a shocking amount of interest from employers, which gave me the opportunity to choose from many states and cities across the country. And while most people would have accepted those big city offers, I ended up taking a different route; I chose the bigger picture for myself. 

I ended up accepting an offer with Northern California’s #1 news channel, KRCR ABC7/ KAEF ABC23 as a reporter, where my boyfriend lives, and it felt like a dream come true. We had been together pretty much throughout college since we met my freshman year, and I never expected to land a job as a reporter exactly where he was. We have moved into our house together and adopted our very naughty dog, Peter!

But beyond that, I fell in love with KRCR, their team, my boss, and all the growth opportunities it has provided me. I knew from my first interview with them that I wanted to work there. Out of the dozens of interviews I did, KRCR was the one I connected with the most. 

Plan for a Tectonic Transition

I started working exactly 9 days after my graduation and 1 week after settling into a new state. I jumped right into it, not giving myself any break, which did come with consequences. Not only was I adjusting to post-grad life, but I was also adjusting to being away from my best friends for the first time in 4 years, my first full-time news job, being far from my family, a brand new state, having no friends, and still feeling the burnout from college.

One piece of advice I would like to share with those who are about to graduate is to take some time for yourself after graduation. Post-grad is a whole new world, and you need to be able to give yourself some grace and some much-needed rest before jumping into the workforce. 

A Voice for the Voiceless

Working as a news reporter has provided me with many opportunities and connections that I never thought I would have. I have the opportunity to provide my community with daily news while also reaching audiences beyond California.

Last summer, one of my stories was picked up by World News Tonight with David Muir, Good Morning America, Fox News, and over 8 local stations across the nation, which was an incredible feeling, knowing millions were seeing my work.

Every day, I have the privilege of meeting new people, building connections with the community, and being trusted to tell people’s stories. It is very long days, working holidays, and sometimes some crazy hours, but knowing that I am making a difference and being a voice for the voiceless is something I am proud of every day when I go to bed. 

Breathe

You grow so much in your first year post-grad, and you start to see the world differently. Something I would like to stress is that if you don’t have a clue what you are going to do following your graduation, that is not a bad thing. I am grateful every day for my luck in the immediate aftermath of graduation, but it was an abnormal situation. I am the first to admit that.

You don’t have to have everything figured out once you walk across that stage. I think it is a huge stigma that you have to have your life figured out and a full-time job directly following college. Times are extremely tough for everyone, and not having a plan is sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself.

You have so much time to figure stuff out, but what you don’t have much time with is your younger years, which are full of self-discovery. As long as you are proud of yourself at the end of the day, you treat others with kindness, and you aren’t super hard on yourself, that is all that matters. 

Emma Underwood - we are proud to call you Sister!

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